Temperature Gauge - Fluctuation/Inaccurate
Article No.95-18-5
09/11/95
TEMPERATURE GAUGE - FLUCTUATING AND/OR INACCURATE HIGH READINGS
FORD:
1990-94 TAURUS, THUNDERBIRD
1991-93 TEMPO
1991-94 ESCORT
LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1990-94 COUGAR SABLE
1991-93 TOPAZ
1991-94 TRACER
LIGHT TRUCK:
1990-91 AEROSTAR
1990-94 RANGER
1991-94 EXPLORER
This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to correct model year application and revise the part descriptions.
ISSUE:
Some vehicles may show temperature gauge fluctuations and/or inaccurate (high) readings (affected engines are 3.0L/4.0L Ranger. 4.0L Explore and 1.9L Escort/Tracer). The inaccurate (high) readings may result in a customer concern with the perception of engine overheating. This is caused by Gauge/Sender design characteristics which create a sensitive gauge indication.
ACTION:
Replace the gauge and sender with a new Temperature Indication Service Kit. Refer to the following for Additional Concerns and Service Procedure for details.
ADDITIONAL CONCERNS
Please verify the following two (2) concerns before implementing the fix for the above concern.
1. Perform cooling system diagnosis per TSB 93-24-8.
2. Vehicles built from 1/1/93 to 4/1/93 may experience high temperature gauge indications which may have been due to the installation of improperly manufactured temperature sending units. The customer concern is that the gauge indication is beyond the letter "L" in the word "NORMAL". If this condition occurs, inspect the temperature sender for an "A3" stamped date code on the hex of the sending unit. If an "A3" unit is found, replace with "NON-A3" service stock.
3. 1993 Taurus/Sable 3.8L vehicles built 8/16/93 to 8/31/93 may have high temperature gauge readings caused by an incorrect temperature sending unit installed at the assembly plant. The incorrect temperature sending unit can be identified by a blue insulator around the terminal. The correct temperature sending unit has a green insulator. If a temperature sending unit with a blue insulator is found, replace it with an F1SZ-10884-A.
4. Explorer 4.0L vehicles with date code 2204 to 2274 should not be used. Any other date code outside this is acceptable even with an "A3" stamp.
NOTE:
DATE CODES ARE BASED ON THE JULIAN DATE CODE SYSTEM. THE LAST NUMBER DENOTES THE YEAR THAT THE PART WAS MANUFACTURED. FOR EXAMPLE, 2274 (1994 PART) AND 2275 (1995 PART). ANY 1995 PART MAY BE USED.
TEMPERATURE INDICATION SERVICE KIT PROCEDURE
NOTE:
THIS PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED AFTER THE ABOVE TWO (2) STEPS HAVE BEEN DONE.
The installation of the service kit will result in a pointer indicating in the approximate center of the "NORMAL" band while providing protection for a boil-over condition.
The service kit consists of:
^ Instructions
^ Temperature Gauge
^ Temperature Sender
The instructions will contain the following steps:
1. Remove BOTH existing temperature sender and temperature gauge from the vehicle.
NOTE:
REFER TO SECTION 13, CONVENTIONAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, OF THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL FOR TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. REFER TO SECTION 03-03, COOLING SYSTEM, OF THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL FOR TEMPERATURE SENDER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION PROCEDURES.
2. Install BOTH service kit temperature sender and temperature gauge into the vehicle.
NOTE:
THE SERVICE KIT TEMPERATURE SENDER AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE MUST BE USED TOGETHER.
Parts Block
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 93-24-8
SUPERSEDES: 95-15-3
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage For 1992-94 Model Year Vehicles, Basic Warranty Coverage For All Other Model Year Vehicles
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
951805A Replace Temperature 1.0 Hr.
Gauge And Sending Unit -
Taurus/Sable,
Tempo/Topaz,
Thunderbird/Cougar,
Explorer, Ranger, Aerostar
(4X2)
951805B Replace Temperature 1.1 Hr.
Gauge And Sending Unit -
Escort/Tracer
951805C Replace Temperature 1.2 Hrs.
Gauge And Sending Unit -
Aerostar (4X4)
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
10883 79
10884 79
OASIS CODES: 204000, 204200, 206000, 402000